If you could write a letter to your younger self, the “you” who first began your artistic journey, what would you say? It would be a tough letter to write, but I think it’s important to consider where we began in order to understand where we are and where we’re going when it comes to expressing ourselves through creative outlets. In light of this, I’ve asked Nancy Reyner, author of Acrylic Illuminations, Acrylic Revolution, and Acrylic Innovation, Darlene Olivia McElroy, co-author of the mixed media book Surface Treatment Workshop, and Roxanne Padgett, author of Acrylic Techniques in Mixed Media, to finish the sentence “If I knew then what I know now…” Scroll down to see what they had say.

Acrylic expert Nancy Reyner has 30+ years of painting experience, and has published three books and a DVD with North Light Books.

“If I knew then what I know now about painting, I’d relax and be happy. It just gets better and better. Continuing to practice and do the work really pays off.” ~Nancy Reyner

The Missing Link (faux encaustic) by Sandra Duran Wilson

“… I would have made a point of pushing each new technique I learned further; setting time aside every day to paint instead of waiting for weekends; and meeting more artists who had achieved what I was shooting for so I could learn the ropes faster.” ~Darlene Olivia McElroy

“… I wouldn’t have waited to start painting! I just kept thinking that I didn’t know enough about painting to paint. It can be intimidating to face the white page or be afraid that you might not ‘do it right.’ There is no right or wrong, and mistakes can be an opportunity to try something new. In fact, I actually learned how to paint by painting: trying things out, playing, experimenting, making mistakes and then doing it all over again.” ~Roxanne Padgett

And since this is the first time that we’re featuring Acrylic Techniques in Mixed Media, I thought I’d share a review from one of our customers who has purchased it: “Roxanne’s approach to making art changed my life. No, really. I had always wondered how artists achieved such interesting layers in their work but was intimidated to experiment too much on my own. Roxanne breaks it down so easily, and the very first day I tried this approach, I was making canvases I loved, and I haven’t stopped since.” ~Tonia